Needles?

Libby · Needles?

I bought some lace weight yarn from 'n' yonks ago! Anyway its all balled up and I was raring to go so I started at the weekend, but the needles don't seem pointy enough, do I need special needles then?

Auntie Noo

I've never knitted with lace weight before. but I do happen to remember people talking about Addi Lace Needles So i guess the pointy bit might be what it's all about..... I have enough trouble with sock yarn!!! Rolling Eyes

Blossom

I love Knit Picks Options....pointy pointy pointy...silver and purple too! Laughing

Wildpurl

I like addi lace needles for laceweight as they are pointy and also a little bit "sticky" so the lace does not slide off. For sock yarn lace KP Options are also lovely even though they are more shiny and slippery.

But before I had either of these I used Denises for lace quite happily and I also have some bamboo needles which are quite pointy which would be fine.

Hanne

If you want really nice lace needles, I'd recommend Colonial rosewood circs from Purlescence. They are expensive, but best needles I've ever knitted with.

Libby

Golly

choices, choices, choices! Thank you so much, I shall look into these and see what I can afford!

CJ

I use the knit picks classic circs for lace and sock knitting. I found the addi lace needles too slippery for my liking for laceweight Wink

Libby

Groan!

My pattern says I need 1 pair 5mm needles, so I presume these are straight. So my nect question is can you get straight lace needles?
Purlescence isn't open yet????

Hanne

It doesn't really matter if you use straight or circular needles. I usually like to knit lace shawls using circs, because there will be hundreds of stitches OTN and it's not easy to fit them on 35cm straight needle. Patterns don't always tell to whether to use circulars or straights, it's a personal preference. I think Yarn Harlot, for example, knits lace shawls on straight needles.
Any straight needles which are pointy enough will do. I think Susanne's, which are called Holz&Stein in US, are sharp pointed straight needles and the Colonial has good points like I mentioned in previous post. I ordered some very sharp DPNs from them last week. Shipping them cost only 3 dollars.